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See some differences between various ETL tools in the market. You can choos any
ETL tool that suits for you. Informatica and Datastage are leading tools in ETL as per
Forrester research
ETL Tools Comparison
The information provided below lists major strengths and weaknesses of the most
popular ETL vendors.
IBM (Information Server Infosphere platform)
Advantages: strongest vision on the market, flexibility
progress towards common metadata platform
high level of satisfaction from clients and a variety of initiatives
Disadvantages: difficult learning curve
long implementation cycles
became very heavy (lots of GBs) with version 8.x and requires a lot of processing
power
Informatica PowerCenter
Advantages: most substantial size and resources on the market of data integration
tools vendors
consistent track record, solid technology, straightforward learning curve, ability to
address real-time data integration schemes
Informatica is highly specialized in ETL and Data Integration and focuses on those
topics, not on BI as a whole
focus on B2B data exchange
Disadvantages: several partnerships diminishing the value of technologies
limited experience in the field.
Microsoft (SQL Server Integration Services)
Advantages: broad documentation and support, best practices to data warehouses
ease and speed of implementation
standardized data integration
real-time, message-based capabilities
relatively low cost - excellent support and distribution model

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Disadvantages: problems in non-Windows environments. Takes over all Microsoft

Windows limitations.
unclear vision and strategy
Oracle (OWB and ODI)
Advantages: based on Oracle Warehouse Builder and Oracle Data Integrator two
very powerful tools;
tight connection to all Oracle datawarehousing applications;
tendency to integrate all tools into one application and one environment.
Disadvantages: focus on ETL solutions, rather than in an open context of data
management;
tools are used mostly for batch-oriented work, transformation rather than real-time
processes or federation data delivery;
long-awaited bond between OWB and ODI brought only promises - customers
confused in the functionality area and the future is uncertain
SAP BusinessObjects (Data Integrator / Data Services)
Advantages: integration with SAP
SAP Business Objects created a firm company determined to stir the market;
Good data modeling and data-management support;
SAP Business Objects provides tools for data mining and quality; profiling due to
many acquisitions of other companies.
Quick learning curve and ease of use
Disadvantages: SAP Business Objects is seen as two different companies
Uncertain future. Controversy over deciding which method of delivering data
integration to use (SAP BW or BODI).
BusinessObjects Data Integrator (Data Services) may not be seen as a stand-alone
capable application to some organizations.
SAS
Advantages: experienced company, great support and most of all very powerful
data integration tool with lots of multi-management features
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can work on many operating systems and gather data through number of sources
very flexible
great support for the business-class companies as well for those medium and minor
ones
Disadvantages: misplaced sales force, company is not well recognized
SAS has to extend influences to reach non-BI community
Costly
Sun Microsystems
Advantages: Data integration tools are a part of huge Java Composite Application
Platform Suite - very flexible with ongoing development of the products
'Single-view' services draw together data from variety of sources; small set of
vendors with a strong vision
Disadvantages: relative weakness in bulk data movement
limited mindshare in the market
support and services rated below adequate
Sybase
Advantages: assembled a range of capabilities to be able to address a mulitude of
data delivery styles
size and global presence of Sybase create opportunities in the market
pragmatic near-term strategy - better of current market demand
broad partnerships with other data quality and data integration tools vendors
Disadvantages: falls behind market leaders and large vendors
gaps in many aspects of data management
Syncsort
Advantages: functionality; well-known brand on the market (40 years experience);
loyal customer and experience base;
easy implementation, strong performance, targeted functionality and lower costs

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Disadvantages: struggle with gaining mind share in the market
lack of support for other than ETL delivery styles
unsatisfactory with lack of capability of professional services
Tibco Software
Advantages: message-oriented application integration; capabilities based on
common SOA structures;
support for federated views; easy implementation, support andperformance
Disadvantages: scarce references from customers; not widely enough recognised
for data integration competencies
lacking in data quality capabilities.
ETI
Advantages: proven and mature code-generating architecture
one of the earliest vendors on the data integration market; support for SOA serviceoriented deployments;
successfully deals with large data volumes and a high degree of complexity,
extension of the range of data platforms and data sources;
customers' positive responses to ETI technology
Disadvantages: relatively slow growth of customer base
rather not attractive and inventive technology.
iWay Software
Advantages: offers physical data movement and delivery; support of wide range of
adapters and access to numerous sources;
well integrated, standard tools;
reasonable ease of implementation effort
Disadvantages: gaps in specific capabilities
relatively costly - not competitive versus market leaders
Pervasive Software

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Advantages: many customers, years of experience, solid applications and support;
good use of metadata
upgrade from older versions into newer is straightforward.
Disadvantages: inconsistency in defining the target for their applications;
no federation capability;
limitated presence due to poor marketing.
Open Text
Advantages Simplicity of use in less-structured sources
Easy licensing for business solutions
cooperates with a wide range of sources and targets
increasingly high functionality
Disadvantages: limited federation, replication and data quality support; rare
upgrades due to its simplicity;
weak real-time support due to use third party solutions and other database utilities.
Pitney Bowes Software
Advantages: Data Flow concentrates on data integrity and quality;
supports mainly ETL patterns; can be used for other purposes too;
ease of use, fast implementation, specific ETL functionality.
Disadvantages: rare competition with other major companies, repeated
rebranding trigger suspicions among customers.
narrow vision of possibilities even though Data Flow comes with variety of
applications.
weak support, unexperienced service.

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